All4Baby » pregnancy diet https://all4baby.co.za From Pregnancy to birth to baby and beyond. The place to find, chat, and share. Wed, 09 Jul 2014 10:58:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=192 Lower your risk of preterm labour by eating vegetables and fruits https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/866/lower-risk-preterm-labour-eating-vegetables-fruits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lower-risk-preterm-labour-eating-vegetables-fruits https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/866/lower-risk-preterm-labour-eating-vegetables-fruits/#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2014 08:35:27 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=866 Expecting moms now have one more reason to up their intake of vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods.

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A new study published in the British Medical Journal found women who consume a “prudent” diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains have a lower risk of preterm delivery.

Preterm delivery is defined as one between 22 and 37 weeks of pregnancy and is associated with adverse health effects.

Building on previous evidence concerning maternal diet and unborn children, researchers in Norway, Iceland and Sweden used data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study to analyze preterm births among 66,000 women between 2002 and 2008. Participants who successfully delivered one baby, were diabetes-free and completed a validated food frequency questionnaire on dietary habits from the first four to five months of pregnancy were included in the study.

Factors believed to affect results include mother’s age, education and history of preterm births. Researchers identified three distinct dietary patterns: “prudent,” “Western” and “traditional.” The “prudent” diet consisted of vegetables, fruits, oils, whole grain cereals, fiber-rich bread, poultry and water. “Western” included sweet and salty snacks, desserts, white bread and processed meat products, while “traditional” featured cooked vegetables, low fat milk, potatoes, fish and gravy.

Out of the 66,000 women, 3,505, or 5.3 percent, had preterm deliveries. The research team found the “prudent” diet linked to lowered risk of preterm delivery, particularly among women having their first baby. A reduced risk was linked to the “traditional” diet as well.

Researchers note pregnant women should increase their intake of “prudent” diet foods, saying this is more important than a total exclusion of processed food, fast food, snacks and junk food.(

(AFP Relaxnews)

 

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Add Brussel sprouts to your pre-pregnancy diet https://all4baby.co.za/falling-pregnant/fertility-101/816/add-brussel-sprouts-pre-pregnancy-diet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=add-brussel-sprouts-pre-pregnancy-diet https://all4baby.co.za/falling-pregnant/fertility-101/816/add-brussel-sprouts-pre-pregnancy-diet/#comments Fri, 30 May 2014 07:24:31 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=816 Brussel sprouts may boost fertility in both men and women. Here's why.

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Brussels sprouts may boost fertility in both men and women, a UK expert says. The green micro-cabbage is thought to be a “must” for any pre-pregnancy diet.

Research has found that 9 percent of all conceptions take place over the holiday period, making December the most fertile month of the year. For couples wanting a baby, Neema Savvides, a nutritional therapist at the Harley Street Fertility Clinic in the UK, advised adding more Brussels sprouts to your plate, The Daily Mail reports.

Baby making superfood

“Believe it or not, this green micro-cabbage is a baby-making superfood,” she said, according to BabyWorld.co.uk. “Firstly, they are bursting with folic acid, which is essential for boosting fertility in both men and women. This vitamin-rich source also increases sperm levels and helps line the womb with the right nutrients raising sperm survival chances.”

Decreases miscarriages and birth defects

“Another benefit of this folic-rich food is that it also helps to decrease the risk of miscarriages and birth defects.”

The vegetables are also packed with a phytonutrient called di-indolylmethane, which has been found to help women absorb balanced levels of the hormone estrogen.

Boosts fertility

Plus since it binds to environmental estrogens, such as pesticides and hormones found in meat and dairy products, it helps rid the body of excess hormones, boosting fertility.

(AFP Relaxnews)

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4 reasons to follow an organic pregnancy diet! https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/797/4-reasons-follow-organic-pregnancy-diet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-reasons-follow-organic-pregnancy-diet https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/797/4-reasons-follow-organic-pregnancy-diet/#comments Thu, 29 May 2014 07:35:21 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=797 Healthy living is an important choice throughout life, but is rarely on the mind more than in pregnancy.

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Like antenatal classes or regular exercise, a good diet should form part of pregnancy preparations; to keep the body in shape and ensure mother and baby get all the nutrients they need. Choosing an organic pregnancy diet over regular produce can be a way to boost that nutrient intake, so may lead to a healthier pregnancy.

Improving health

Even if a nutrient-rich, healthy diet is already a priority, choosing organic foods can make a world of difference. Organic products use organic farming methods – meaning that they do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers or chemical food additives, and foods are not irradiated for sterilization. As a result, organic foods are seen as healthier; they lack potentially harmful substances and contain higher quality nutrients.

Pregnant women have much higher demands for vitamins and minerals than normal, so diet is key for mother and baby to remain in the best health possible. An improved immune system, better sleeping habits and increased vitamin E levels are some of the associated benefits, and organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.

Not all organic products are superfoods

Just because a food is labelled ‘organic’, doesn’t automatically mean it’s healthy. Biscuits and sugary treats can still be organic!

The choice to eat organic products however shows a certain level of mindfulness of a healthy lifestyle – and most who choose organic are aware that balanced meals; fruits, vegetables and proteins, will be best!

Bear in mind that pregnant women may still need to take additional supplements within their diet, and should consult their doctor to find out what’s needed.

Reducing Risks

In addition to the health benefits, many pregnant women choose organic foods to reduce risk. Most mothers-to-be will already avoid or limit particular foods that could have harmful effects, such as caffeine or fish that may contain mercury.

Organic is seen as a lower risk because regular food production uses methods that organic farming does not – methods which may cause food to have less essential nutrients and a multitude of chemical residues from chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. Chemical hormones may also be found in non-organic produce – not ideal for a body already undergoing a hormonal upheaval. Increased levels of chemicals and carcinogens can generally have a number of associated risks such as cancer, and in pregnancy, could contribute to miscarriage.

This is not to say that all non-organic foods are toxic and should be avoided though, far from it. A healthy diet, organic or not, is always preferable to processed, sugary, unhealthy foods. But choosing organic may have additional benefit, and less risk.

Better habits for life

In choosing to eat better food, many parents-to-be are creating good lifestyle habits to continue once their child is born.

An organic choice may also make an environmental difference.  Many organic food markets source their produce locally, so in choosing local goods, carbon footprints can be reduced, seasonal living promoted and local farmers supported. Organic eating can build a better world for soon-to-be-born children.

Suzanne Gibbard is a mother to three and runs a business called Bundles of Joy which sells personalised christening gifts.

 

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8 pregnancy diet tips! https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/753/8-pregnancy-diet-tips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8-pregnancy-diet-tips https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/nutrition-and-exercise/753/8-pregnancy-diet-tips/#comments Fri, 23 May 2014 10:02:15 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=753 NHC Health Centres share eight pregnancy diet tips with expectant mothers.

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While many pregnant women may use “eating for two’ as an excuse to have bigger meals, it’s best to know that overindulging might lead to some complications during pregnancy.

“Pregnant women might be eating for two, but this does not mean you need to eat twice as much as you normally would. Overeating might lead to excessive weight gain for you, it also puts you at risk for other pregnancy complications”, Dr Nicola Rains, a general practitioner at NHC Health Centres

According to Sue Scharf, dietician at NHC,“Eating healthy is even more important when you’re pregnant, because what you put in your body feeds both you and your baby. Your baby is dependent on you for getting enough nutrition. There are things you can do to get all the necessary nutrients without eating a lot more calories”.

  1. Eat a variety of foods to meet your daily needs for protein, calories, carbohydrates, healthy fats, key vitamins and minerals.  Try to look for different colours, types and textures in your food.
  2. Try to minimize foods that have more calories but few nutrients. Food like fizzy drinks, fried foods, or foods with extra fat and sugar. To get the healthy calories your baby needs, rather eat a few nutrition-packed snacks like low fat yoghurt, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit and salads such as baby carrots, celery stick; also low fat cracker breads + cottage cheese / hummus.
  3. Planning your daily meals gives structure to your eating habits, making it easier to follow a healthy pregnancy diet and help control weight gain.
  4. Foods that are close to their natural state are the best. Whole-grain bread or brown rice is  better  than white bread or rice, as well as fresh fruits rather than canned fruits in sugar syrup
  5. Be sure to choose healthier fats and oils (such as olive oil and canola oil; also avocado), eat sweets sparingly, and only following a healthy meal.
  6. Grab a bowl of home-made popcorn, a home-made fruit smoothie, mixed nuts, a serving of fruit or yoghurt if you feel that you are still not full after a meal.
  7. Drink LOTS of water throughout the day.
  8. Keep active as well – walk everyday; do a Pilates class (with a properly qualified instructor); join an ante-natal class.

“Remember that while pregnant, your baby’s health and growth are related to what you eat. When you are tempted to help yourself to another place of rice and chicken, remember that you are eating for a baby and not a full-size adult. It is all about quality over quantity” says Dr Rains.

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